Journey to the West: Beginning with the Apprenticeship of Bodhi Patriarch

Chapter 373 Ancestor's Aura, Yu the Great's Three Treasures

After returning from dealing with Mo Luo, the True Man and his group talked for a long time on the Jade Terrace. Then they dispersed and went to their respective quiet rooms.

After dismissing the group, Jiang Yuan walked out of Yaotai and onto the small path behind Yaotai, eventually reaching the ancestral master's meditation room to pay her respects.

When the Patriarch learned that the True Man had come to see him, he opened the door of his room and let the True Man in.

Jiang Yuan entered the quiet room and performed a grand ceremony.

The Patriarch took a prayer mat and sat down with the True Man. He then brought some jujubes, pears, ginseng fruits, and peaches and placed them in front of the True Man for him to enjoy.

The master wanted to politely decline, but after being glared at by the patriarch, he couldn't bring himself to speak and had no choice but to enjoy the fruit under the patriarch's seat.

After the Patriarch finished looking at the True Man, he said, "Child, now you will go to find Moro and have a battle with him. Is that alright?"

Jiang Yuan said, "Indeed."

The Patriarch laughed and asked, "How capable is Mara?"

Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "Master, Moro is quite capable, but I overestimated his power. After fighting him for more than twenty rounds, he showed signs of defeat."

Upon hearing this, the Patriarch clapped his hands and laughed, saying, "It is rare to see a child so sharp-witted. Today, you spoke of Mara and your sharpness was revealed. This is truly remarkable."

Jiang Yuan said, "Master, it's not that I'm being too sharp-tongued. I heard from you that when Mara was the Bodhisattva Kinnara, he was about to become a powerful being. So I was on high alert. I never imagined that Mara's abilities were really not as great as I thought."

The patriarch smiled and asked, "How much of your strength do you have to fight him, boy?"

Jiang Yuan said, "More than 50%."

The patriarch shook his head and said, "With a little over 50% strength, you can make him show signs of defeat in more than 20 rounds. If you go all out, he will surely be defeated within 10 rounds."

Jiang Yuan said, "Master, you flatter me."

The Patriarch said, “There is no false praise; everything you have said is true. Now that you have defeated Mara, what are your plans next?”

Jiang Yuan bowed and said, "Master, I do not intend to go out again. I will stay in the manor to cultivate the side sects and wait for the opportunity to open the manor. That will be enough for me."

The Patriarch smiled and said, "Shall we no longer concern ourselves with Mara's affairs?"

Jiang Yuan said, “Master, in the end, this matter has nothing to do with us, and we have no right to be involved. I sought out Mo Luo to avenge the fact that he almost injured Wukong. This is an eye for an eye, and I caused him to be injured. The matter is over. As long as he does not cause trouble on the westward journey, I will not fight with him. As for the matter with Mount Ling, it is not appropriate for me to interfere.”

The patriarch said, “You child, you are quite different now than before. You now truly have the air of an ancestor.”

Jiang Yuanben wanted to say something more.

The patriarch waved his hand and said, "Since you say you should cultivate in seclusion in your residence, then go and cultivate in seclusion. If you have free time, come and find me to play chess again."

Upon hearing this, the Master bowed in reverence, then left the quiet room and returned to another room to cultivate in seclusion, awaiting the opportunity to establish his own abode.

……

Time flies, and several months have passed since the True Man and his companions went to find Mara.

The news spread that the True Man had personally descended upon the Western Journey Road to fight against the Demon King, causing all the demons of Green Dragon Mountain to retreat. This silenced the evil spirits that had previously coveted the Western Journey Road, and for a time, the Western Journey Road was peaceful and tranquil.

In Xiniuhezhou, the Slanting Moon and Three Stars Cave enjoys even greater prestige.

One day, someone knocked on the tightly closed gate of the mansion in front of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars Cave.

Not long after he knocked on the door, someone came to open it.

The Bull Demon King was not far from the gate of the mansion when he saw someone knocking on the door, so he pushed the gate open.

As soon as the Bull Demon King pushed open the gate of his mansion, he saw a man standing outside, carrying an axe on his back, his eyes bright and piercing, as if he had achieved success in his cultivation.

He looked at the man and found him very familiar. After looking closely, he realized that this was Chen Xiang.

The Bull Demon King said, "Chenxiang, why have you returned?"

Upon seeing that it was the Bull Demon King, Chenxiang bowed and said, "Bull King, I have returned to my residence to pay my respects to my master. Please convey my message that your unfilial disciple, Chenxiang, has come to pay his respects."

The Bull Demon King said, "You were originally a disciple of the Three Star Immortal Cave. Now that you have returned and wish to see your virtuous brother, you should come into the manor to see him. Why do you need me to announce your arrival?"

Chenxiang shook his head and said, "King Niu, since I left years ago, I have had no intention of returning to the manor. Therefore, I ask you to inform him. Thank you for your trouble."

Upon hearing this, the Bull Demon King felt helpless but could not refuse, so he had no choice but to agree. Just as he was about to leave and return to his mansion, he suddenly turned to look at Chenxiang. He felt that Chenxiang was much more composed than before, far superior to his former self. He guessed that his cultivation had not been delayed over the years, but he wondered how his mother and father were doing.

He turned and left, informing Sun Wukong.

Chenxiang stood outside the mansion waiting, not daring to step into the Three Star Immortal Cave. He gazed into the cave and fell into deep thought, suddenly recalling past events.

In the past, he lived in the immortal abode, and those days were truly carefree.

He didn't cherish it then, always thinking that he had achieved success in his cultivation and would definitely go out into the world. But he never imagined that once he actually went out, he would realize how precious the days he spent in quiet cultivation in the mansion were.

Chenxiang shook his head and sighed, "In the end, we can't go back. It's true that we didn't know how to cultivate when we were young, and now we can only sigh in vain. If I had understood this earlier, perhaps things would be very different now."

Chenxiang waited at the gate of the mansion for a while.

Before long, Sun Wukong came out.

As soon as Sun Wukong came out, he saw Chenxiang and went up to him, saying, "Chenxiang, you know to come and visit your old man."

Upon seeing Sun Wukong, Chenxiang's eyes turned red, and he immediately knelt down, kowtowing countless times, saying, "Your unfilial disciple Chenxiang pays respects to your revered master!"

Sun Wukong was somewhat taken aback when he saw Chenxiang bow so deeply upon entering the mansion. After regaining his senses, he helped Chenxiang up and said, "Why are you bowing like this? Please get up and come with me into the mansion. Then I will have a proper talk with you about what you have been doing these past few years."

Chenxiang shook his head and said, "I would never dare to enter the manor. In the past, I left the manor many times, and now I have no face to enter."

Sun Wukong pointed at Chenxiang and said, "You, you, fine, fine, fine. Since that's the case, come with me and let's find a place where you can have a good talk with me about how you've been these past few years."

Say it.

Sun Wukong walked out of the mansion.

Agarwood followed closely behind.

...The two walked to the back mountain. Sun Wukong looked at the many orange trees on the back mountain and seemed a little impatient, but he didn't say anything more. Instead, he walked to a cave on the back mountain.

Sun Wukong knocked on the door of the cave, and soon after, the Green Ox came out. Sun Wukong directly asked to borrow the cave.

The green ox wanted to refuse, but Sun Wukong simply pointed to the orange trees, which immediately silenced the green ox, and it obediently allowed Sun Wukong to use the cave.

Sun Wukong entered the cave, found two prayer mats, and sat down opposite Chenxiang.

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "Chenxiang, is it possible for you to tell me how you have been all these years? I see that you have changed a lot, you must have experienced a lot."

Chenxiang bowed and said, "Master, in recent years, I have been traveling in the Southern Continent, going north and south, and meeting many heroes. But please rest assured, Master, my cultivation has not been wrong in recent years."

Sun Wukong nodded, smiled slightly, and said, "I can see your cultivation and know that it has not gone wrong. But when you first started cultivating, you told me that you wanted to save your father and mother. How is it now? Have you saved your parents?"

Chenxiang shook his head and said, "Master, if we can't save her, there's no need to save her anymore."

Sun Wukong asked, "Can you tell me the reason?"

Chenxiang said, “Master, in recent years, I have been to the underworld once with my shallow cultivation. But I used your name to intimidate the underworld and made it send me there. In the underworld, I saw my father, but he had suffered for many years and could no longer bear it. As a result, his soul was weak and his mind was unclear. Therefore, I asked the King of Hell to send him into reincarnation so that he could be reborn as a human.”

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong pondered for a moment and said, "What you have done is not wrong, and I forgive you. But what about your mother?"

Chenxiang said, “Master, I now know why my mother was imprisoned under Mount Hua. In the past, many people told me that my mother was imprisoned under Mount Hua because she violated the heavenly rules. However, what I have learned in recent years through my cultivation and investigation has taught me that the matter between my mother and my father was a mistake from the beginning.”

Sun Wukong asked, "Why do you say that?"

Chenxiang said, “My mother is an immortal who has achieved great cultivation. Why would she fall for my father, a mere mortal? This is illogical. To be honest, even someone like me, who has achieved great cultivation, cannot look down on ordinary people, let alone those who are cowardly and lack chivalry. My mother would never have looked down on my father, yet she eventually married him. Such an abnormal thing can only be attributed to two spirits within her causing her to be disturbed and thus act in this abnormal way. My mother’s entry into Mount Hua was both a suppression and a form of cultivation.”

Sun Wukong was greatly surprised to hear this, pointed at Chenxiang, and said, "You actually know such a thing?"

Chenxiang smiled and said, "Master, please do not underestimate your disciple. I am not the same as before. I have often heard people say, 'A scholar should be viewed with new eyes after three days of separation.' It is only natural that I have changed a bit since I left you many years ago."

Sun Wukong nodded and said, "You are indeed different, which makes me very happy. Since that's the case, you know that your mother is cultivating and your father has been reincarnated, so this matter of saving your father and mother should not count."

Chenxiang said, "Just as Master said."

Sun Wukong said, "If that's the case, what brings you here today?"

Chenxiang bowed and said, "I have come to see my master today with two things to say. Please listen to them."

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "Tell me what it is."

Chenxiang said, "Master, there are two reasons for this. First, I feel ashamed that I haven't seen you for so long. Second, I fear this may be the last time I see you. Please take care and treat me as if I were no longer here."

Sun Wukong asked, "Why do you say that?"

Chenxiang bowed and said, "Master, I will go and find Erlang Shen to fight him and settle our long-standing grudges."

Sun Wukong was puzzled and asked, "Why do you say that? If you know about your parents, why are you still looking for Erlang Shen?"

Chenxiang said, "Master, you may not know this, but our parents' actions were wrong. However, as their son, we have suffered the loss of our family because of Erlang Shen. How can we not avenge this?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong said helplessly, "Do you know what Erlang Shen's abilities are?"

Chenxiang nodded and said, "This disciple understands."

Sun Wukong said, "If you knew this, why would you want to fight him?"

Chenxiang said, “Master, this is the revenge for our parents’ death. We cannot abandon it just because it is powerful. I have heard that in the past, when the First Emperor of Qin destroyed the six states and unified them, many people of the six states attempted to assassinate him after their states were destroyed. Qin was so powerful, yet the people of the six states still dared to assassinate him for the sake of their lost states. There is even a saying that “a common man’s anger can cause blood to splatter five steps away.” How could I not dare to deal with Erlang Shen?

Sun Wukong originally wanted to offer some further advice.

Chenxiang looked up and said stubbornly, "Master, my mind is made up. I have come here today to bid you farewell."

Sun Wukong sighed, "Even if you want to deal with Erlang Shen, you must have some means to do so. If you have no means, how can you possibly defeat Erlang Shen?"

Chenxiang said, “Master, I have gathered many heroes, all of whom are cultivators. These heroes will join me in dealing with Erlang Shen. Furthermore, I have obtained a treasure that may cause trouble for Erlang Shen.”

Sun Wukong scratched his head and said, "What kind of treasure is this? Bring it here so that I can take a look."

Upon hearing this, Chenxiang patted his waist, and a divine light flashed past, sending an axe flying out and landing on the ground. Thousands of divine lights burst forth from the axe, demonstrating its extraordinary nature.

Upon seeing it, Sun Wukong knew that this axe was extraordinary, and he asked, "What is the origin of this axe?"

Chenxiang said, "Master, this axe and your golden cudgel are treasures of the same kind."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong immediately pulled his golden cudgel from behind his ear and said, "What do you mean? What do you mean?"

Chenxiang said, "In the past, when Yu the Great controlled the floods, he had three treasures, which greatly helped him. The three treasures were the River Map, the Sea-Stabilizing Treasure, and the Mountain-Opening Axe."

Sun Wukong said, "This treasure that stabilizes the sea is none other than my Ruyi Jingu Bang. I know it by heart. In the past, this treasure was used to measure the sea. Since you say so, then this is the axe that splits mountains?"

Chenxiang nodded and said, “That’s right, that’s right. Master, I obtained this treasure by accident. This treasure followed Yu the Great in the past, splitting mountains and dredging rivers, which was a great achievement in flood control. Therefore, it has great power. I want to use it to fight Erlang Shen.”

Sun Wukong said, "If that's the case, then it is indeed a treasure of the same kind as my treasure. However, Erlang Shen's abilities are extraordinary, so we must not be careless. Chenxiang, you must know that even with this treasure, you are no match for Erlang Shen."

Chenxiang did not agree, but insisted on doing so.

Seeing this, Sun Wukong decided it was best not to try to persuade him further.

He and Chenxiang talked there for a long time, for more than two or three days.

Chenxiang finally bid farewell to Sun Wukong and was about to leave to find Erlang Shen for a final battle to determine who would live and die.

Sun Wukong watched Chenxiang leave.

A blue ox approached and asked, "Great Sage, why do you look like this? What happened to your disciple?"

Sun Wukong looked at the Green Ox and, without hiding anything, told him about the agarwood.

Upon hearing this, the Green Ox laughed loudly and said, "Your disciple is rather foolish. How could he think that he could defeat Erlang Shen with his magic weapon? Does he think that you, Sun Wukong, can defeat Erlang Shen just because you have the Yu King's Treasure? Can't he even do it?"

Seeing the Green Ox laughing so loudly, Sun Wukong ignored him and got up to return to his residence.

(End of this chapter)